Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has called on the President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, to exhibit statesmanship by reining in his supporters in order to preserve the peace and unity of the country.
The Vice President said there have been many incidents of NDC members besieging collation centres with offensive weapons to forcibly declare NDC parliamentary candidates as winners of some parliamentary contests, and that this is not in keeping with the democratic culture we are all trying to nurture.
Dr. Bawumia said he was saddened by the indifference and silence on the part of Mr. John Dramani Mahama and the NDC about the violence and mayhem being unleashed on members of the NPP and other people perceived to be sympathisers. He reminded President-elect Mahama that he has won an election and has a responsibility to contribute to protecting life and property.
He said if these acts continue, people will be compelled to take reasonable steps to defend themselves. The last thing anybody wants is to mar the beauty of the successful elections that have just been concluded and call on Mr. Mahama and the NDC to demonstrate that they are not reluctant democrats.
Similarly, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has condemned what it describes as a wave of violence and lawlessness allegedly carried out by supporters of the NDC following Ghana’s 7 December elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra, the national youth organiser of the party, Salam Mustapha, accused the NDC of undermining the country’s democratic processes and threatening the peace and stability that Ghana has worked hard to achieve under the Fourth Republic.
According to Mustapha, the NPP’s presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, demonstrated statesmanship by conceding defeat to John Mahama only hours after polls closed, prioritising national unity over partisan interest. He contrasted this gesture with what he described as the NDC’s deliberate attempts to create chaos in constituencies where results were still being finalised.
Salam Mustapha called for immediate action from the Ghana Police Service to restore law and order at collation centres and ensure the safety of Electoral Commission officials and election materials. He also urged the Electoral Commission to stand firm in executing its mandate without intimidation.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has reaffirmed its commitment to apprehending and prosecuting individuals involved in election-related violence.
This assurance was provided by ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Director of Communications for the Ghana Police, in response to reports of violence perpetrated by some voters and political party supporters.
During a brief press conference in Accra, ACP Ansah-Akrofi revealed that some suspects have been arrested in connection with various offences related to the recent election violence, some of whom are directly linked to acts of vandalism, looting, and property destruction.
ACP Ansah-Akrofi assured the public of their safety and security, as well as the protection of properties.
